OLD instructions

Please do not use these OLD instructions.

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ACCESSION NUMBERS AS CALL NUMBERS

Sometimes archivists will choose to allow an accession number to serve as a call number. This is usually done with larger, older collections that have already been in use for a long time. We no longer include the date at the bottom of the small label that goes into the verso of the volumes. We also omit "THE" from "HOUGHTON LIBRARY, as well as the asterisk that used to precede the accession number. Here are samples of the old and the new labels for bound items in a collection.  Such items are put at the end of the call number sequence on a given shelf, even though they do not follow the regular call number sequence. Single items no longer keep accession numbers as call numbers. If the end processor receives such an item, it should be returned to the cataloger to have a proper call number assigned before end processing can begin.

CURRENT:

OLD:

PAST PRACTICE: for single item or collection volumes over 28 cm, we would put a lowercase "f" in front of the accession number (call number), but leave a space in between them. The "f"s are shelved in a different range. Some of the older volumes have an uppercase "F" at the end rather than a lowercase "f" in front. We do not use a small preceding "f" for collections anymore, since ArchivesSpace provides locations. If we were to want to use an "f" in current practice, we would put a capital F at the end of the accession number.

Very old practice:         

            f 52L-1141
THE HOUGHTON LIBRARY
                 1950

Preferred variation on old practice (RARE)

            52L-1141F
     HOUGHTON LIBRARY

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